South Korea prosecutors indict former president Moon Jae-in for corruption

South Korea’s political landscape was shaken again on Thursday as prosecutors indicted former President Moon Jae-in on corruption charges connected to his son-in-law’s employment at a domestic airline.

According to a statement from the Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office, Moon is accused of receiving 217 million won (approximately US$150,000) in illicit benefits related to helping secure a high-ranking position for his son-in-law at the budget airline Thai Eastar Jet.

The indictment alleges that the former president’s son-in-law was appointed as managing director at the airline despite having no prior experience or qualifications in the aviation industry. Prosecutors argue that the job offer was extended in an attempt by the airline—controlled by a former lawmaker from Moon’s Democratic Party—to curry favor with the then-president.

Officials said financial compensation paid to Moon's son-in-law between 2018 and 2020 was not legitimate salary but constituted bribes to Moon. The son-in-law has since divorced Moon’s daughter.

The development comes at a politically turbulent time in South Korea, with nationwide elections scheduled for June 3. Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who succeeded Moon, was recently removed from office following a brief and controversial martial law declaration in December. He now faces a potential life sentence or even the death penalty for insurrection charges, though South Korea has not carried out an execution since 1997.

If convicted, Moon would become the latest in a string of South Korean presidents embroiled in legal trouble. His predecessors Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye were both convicted of corruption and served prison terms. Moon’s mentor and former President Roh Moo-hyun died by suicide in 2009 while under investigation for similar allegations involving his family.

Moon’s Democratic Party strongly denounced the indictment, calling it a politically motivated attack intended to disgrace a former leader. Party spokeswoman Park Kyung-mee accused prosecutors of abusing their authority and questioned the logic behind the charges.

“So the salary paid to the son-in-law was a bribe to the president? Is this the best logic they could come up with after dragging the case out for four long years?” Park said.

The case now adds to the deepening political tension and legal drama engulfing South Korea as it heads toward a highly contentious election.